His pursuers are much larger, by as much as 100 pounds, and may have as long as five seconds to bear down on him before the ball arrives.

McCluster is used to hearing incredulous queries about his line of work.

“I kind of enjoy it back there. A lot of people say I’m crazy,” McCluster said, “but you have to be courageous. You have to be confident."

For Bolts fans, punt returns are again too adventurous.

When Trevor Benjamin flubbed a play last Thursday, giving Denver possession on the San Diego 11, Chargers coach Mike McCoy had pointed words for him on the sideline.

McCoy replaced Benjamin with McCluster, who fielded the next punt and took it 16 yards.

A few thoughts about the shakeup.

The Chargers are acting on what’s best for the team, instead of who draws the bigger paycheck.

McCluster, who was signed off the street after running back Danny Woodhead went down in Week 2, is making pennies on the dollar compared with Benjamin.

Benjamin is seven months into a four-year, $24-million contract he got in March.

Benjamin, who is also rail-thin, 175-pounder, may benefit from a lightened load.

He gets a lot of work at wide receiver, where he’s holding his own. He has gained 13.3 yards per catch, while posting a catch rate, 70.5 percent, that far would exceed his career best for a season.

One of the league’s fastest players, Benjamin creates better angles for his teammates because opponents honor his speed threat on not only short passes but also deep throws.

The Chargers may be under-supporting their returners.

For the second year in a row, the team has imported a veteran who was an above-average returner, only to see his performance plummet in a Bolts uniform.

Last year, it was Jacoby Jones.

He left behind the Baltimore Ravens, who tend to field strong special teams and whose head coach, John Harbaugh, is a former NFL special teams coordinator.

Jones never looked comfortable with the Bolts. In fairness, he sustained an ankle injury in the first game. And at 31, he was near the end of a stellar career. (Jones hasn’t resurfaced with a team this season.)

The Chargers would be thrilled if Benjamin had reprised his Browns successes.

With Cleveland, his average was 12.6 yards per return.

With San Diego, his average is 6.6.

He has appeared tentative, an occupational hazard.

McCluster has an impressive past, too, in this zany endeavor.

Three seasons ago, working under highly regarded Chiefs coordinator Dave Taub, he led the NFL with two punt returns for TDs. Also, he was first in returns (58) and seventh in yards per return (11.8).

Aside from the question of whether they can support him as the Chiefs did, the Chargers would like a redux of Dex 2013.

Or a reasonable imitation. If he strikes the balance of bold and reliable, the unit should improve.